JP2000021071A - Library device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase the various uses by making usable also for a single drive while satisfying the use as a library device. SOLUTION: In the library device which is provided with a medium loading/ ejecting means 4a for loading/ejecting a recording medium, a medium housing means 5a for housing many recording media, plural drive means 1a, 2a for reproducing/recording the recording medium, a medium moving means 3a for moving the recording medium between the medium housing means 5a and the drive means 1a, 2a, and a control means 6a for controlling the library device, the arrangement is made so that the device is usable also for the single drive means using one of the plural drive means 1a, 2a as a single unit.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a library apparatus which can be used as a stand-alone drive while satisfying the use as a library drive, and which can be used more.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, with respect to an optical disk library apparatus capable of handling a large amount of optical disk recording media (hereinafter, referred to as a medium), a mechanism section (hereinafter, referred to as a medium) for moving a medium inserted into the library apparatus into the apparatus. ACC), and a device (hereinafter referred to as a cell) for reproducing / recording a medium from a mechanism (hereinafter referred to as a CAS) for loading / unloading a medium into / from a library (hereinafter referred to as a cell) for storing a large number of media in a library device. (Hereinafter referred to as ODD / drive).

(A) Description of a vertical library device FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional example, and FIG. 13 (a) is a description of a vertical library device. In FIG. 13A,
ODD1, ODD2, ACC
3, a CAS 4, a cell 5, and an ARC 6 are provided.

[0004] ODD1 and ODD2 are apparatuses for reproducing / recording a medium, respectively. The ACC 3 is a mechanism for moving a medium loaded into the library device 10 within the device. The CAS 4 is a mechanism for loading and unloading a medium into and from the library device 10. The cell 5 is a storage for storing a large number of media in the library device 10. A
The RC6 is an accessor control unit that processes ACC commands and the like.

[0005] This vertical library device 10 is an ACC
At 3, the medium inserted from the CAS 4 and the medium stored in the cell 5 are transported in the vertical direction, and the ODD1 and ODD2 reproduce and record the medium.

(B) Description of a horizontal library device FIG. 13 (b) is an illustration of a horizontal library device. In FIG. 13B, the library device 10 has an ODD
1, ODD2, ACC3, cell 5, ARC6 are provided.

[0007] ODD1 and ODD2 are devices for reproducing and recording a medium, respectively. The ACC 3 is a mechanism for moving a medium loaded into the library device 10 within the device. The cell 5 is a storage for storing a large number of media in the library device 10, and is entirely slidable so that the media can be pulled out and loaded and unloaded. The ARC 6 is an accessor control unit that processes ACC commands and the like.

The horizontal library device 10 has an ACC
At 3, the medium stored in the cell 5 is transported in the horizontal direction, and
The medium is reproduced and recorded by D1 and ODD2.

[0009]

The above-mentioned prior art has the following problems. In an optical disk library device, usually two ODDs are mounted. This is to improve the processing speed and safety. One of the two ODDs, such as during processing when the access frequency to the library device is low or when the library device itself is not used, is used. But there was no problem in use.

According to the present invention, only one of the two ODDs is used for processing as a library device, and the remaining one can be used like a normal single drive, thereby satisfying the use as a library device. However, it can also be used as a single drive, and its purpose is to increase the number of uses.

[0011]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the principle of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numerals 1a and 2a denote drive means, 3a denotes a medium moving means, 4a denotes a medium input / output means, 5a denotes a medium storage means, and 6a denotes a control means.

The present invention is configured as follows to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems. (1): medium input / output unit 4a for inputting / outputting a recording medium, and medium storage unit 5 for storing a plurality of the recording media.
a, a plurality of drive means 1a, 2a for reproducing / recording the recording medium; a medium moving means 3a for moving the recording medium between the medium storing means 5a and the drive means 1a, 2a; In a library device including a control unit 6a for controlling the library device, one of the plurality of drive units 1a and 2a can be also used as a single drive unit.

(2) In the library apparatus of (1), one drive unit 2a is moved to be the single drive unit. (3): In the library device of (1), the plurality of drive units 1 are set by the setting of the control unit 6a.
One of a and 2a is a single drive unit.

(4) In the library apparatus of (1), the medium input / output unit 4a inputs / outputs the recording medium of the single drive unit 2a. (Operation) The operation based on the above configuration will be described.

The recording medium is inserted by the medium input / output means 4a.
The recording medium is ejected, a plurality of the recording media are stored in the medium storing means 5a, the recording medium is reproduced / recorded by a plurality of drive means 1a and 2a, and the medium storing means 5a and the drive are recorded by the medium moving means 3a. In the library device which moves the recording medium between the units 1a and 2a and controls the library device by the control unit 6a, the library unit is a single drive unit using one of the plurality of drive units 1a and 2a alone. Be able to double-use. For this reason, one unit can be used like a single drive, and the drive means can be effectively used depending on the use purpose and use frequency of the library device. In addition, since both the library device and the single drive can be used, another working medium can be used as a single device in the same manner as a library device used on a network, and the library device can be used for multiple purposes. .

The single drive means 2a is moved to form the single drive means. For this reason, a medium insertion port for a single drive unit can be provided on the front surface of the library device, and it is easy to insert and discharge the recording medium.

Further, according to the setting of the control means 6a,
One of the plurality of drive means 1a, 2a is defined as a single drive means. Therefore, it is possible to easily use the library drive unit as a single drive unit without moving it.

The medium input / output means 4a provides
The recording medium of the single drive means 2a is loaded and discharged. For this reason, the medium input / output unit 4a for the library can also be used for input / output of the recording medium of the single drive unit 2a.

[0019]

FIG. 2 to FIG. 12 are views showing an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. (1): Description of basic operation of library device a) Description of vertical library device FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the vertical library device. FIG.
In the library device 10, ODD1, ODD
2, ACC3, CAS4, cell 5, and ARC6 are provided.

ODD1 and ODD2 are each a medium 7
Is a device for reproducing / recording. The ACC 3 is a mechanism for moving the medium 7 loaded into the library device 10 within the device. The CAS 4 is a mechanism for loading and unloading the medium 7 into and from the library device 10. The cell 5 is a storage for storing a large number of media 7 in the library device 10. The ARC 6 is an accessor control unit that has a memory in which information of the cell 5 is written, and performs processing of ACC commands and the like.

Symbols 〜 indicate the operation of the library device. This vertical library device 10 has an ACC3
Then, the medium 7 inserted from the CAS 4 and the medium 7 stored in the cell 5 are transported, and the medium 7 is reproduced and recorded by ODD1 or ODD2.

B) Description of the basic operation of the vertical library apparatus FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the basic operation processing of the library apparatus. Hereinafter, description will be given according to the processing S1 to the processing S7 in FIG. In addition, reference numerals correspond to the operations of reference numerals in FIG.

S1: The medium 7 is inserted from the medium insertion slot of the library device 10, and the process proceeds to S2. S2: CAS4 automatically sets A when medium 7 is inserted.
The medium is moved to a position where CC3 can grasp the medium, and processing S3
Move on to

S3: The ARC 6 controls the CAS 4 to store the medium 7
When it is confirmed by a sensor or the like (not shown) that the CC3 has been moved to a position where the CC3 can be grasped, a movement command is issued to the ACC3, and the process proceeds to step S4.

S4: ACC3 moves to CAS4,
The medium 7 in the CAS 4 is taken out, and the process proceeds to S5. S5: ACC3 conveys medium 7 to ODD1 or ODD2, and proceeds to processing S6.

S6: When the medium 7 is inserted into the ODD1 or ODD2, medium management information or the like is written on the medium 7, and again
The medium 7 is returned to the ACC 3 and proceeds to the processing S7. S7: The ACC 3 transports the medium 7 to the empty cell 5 and stores it in the cell 5. Note that which cell is empty is managed by memory information (cell map) of the ARC 6 or the like.

(2): Description when moving ODD and using it as a single drive a) Description of vertical library device FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram (part 1) of the vertical library device. 4 (a) is a description of the case of moving ODD2, FIG.
(B) is a description of the cable. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view (part 2) of the vertical library device, and FIG.
3 illustrates the operation limit, and FIG. 5B illustrates the cable.

In FIG. 4A, the library device 10
In order to use one ODD2 of the two ODDs as a single drive, remove the cover of the library device 10,
The front of the library device 10 (CA
S4), and is fixed so that a single medium can be inserted from the front.

In FIG. 4B, when the entire tray of the ODD 2 is moved to the front of the library apparatus 10 and fixed,
Interface cable (SCS) connected to RC6, etc.
I and the power cable) 8 have a sufficient length to extend to the vicinity of the fixed position.

In FIG. 5A, when ODD2 is used as a library drive (normal time: ODD2 is at position A), the operation range of ACC3 is indicated by the solid arrow.
When DD2 is used as a single drive (ODD2
Is the B position), and the moving range of the ACC3 is the range of the dotted arrow (O
DD1).

Remove the cover of the library device 10 and
D2 is moved together with the ODD fixing tray, and is fixed at a position usable as a single drive. In order for the ARC 6 to recognize the use as a single drive, a model equipped with one ODD / two ODDs is set by the operation unit of the library device 10. Alternatively, depending on the guide position of the ODD2 on the tray, an optical sensor or a microswitch is used, and the ODD2 is used.
Is the fixed position, the library device 10
It is recognized as a stand-mounted model (ODD2 is for the library device).
0 is recognized as a model equipped with one ODD (ODD2 is used as a single unit). Thereby, the ARC 6 sets the operation range of the ACC 3 as shown in FIG. That is:-When ODD2 is used as a stand-alone drive, the operation range is up to ODD1. Further, the ARC 6 changes the inquiry (for storing information of the device) data to the name of the model equipped with one ODD.

When ODD2 is used as a library drive The operating range is up to ODD2. The ARC 6 changes the inquiry data to the name of the model equipped with two ODDs.

In FIG. 5B, even if the ODD 2 is moved to the front of the library device 10, unless the height is changed (A is the position where the ACC 3 is positioned at the ODD 1).
(CC operation limit point) The cable 8 does not contact the ACC 3.

The length of the cable 8 should be long enough to allow the ODD 2 to move. In addition, a cable guide 9 for forming is provided to prevent the cable from being doubled in the apparatus. Furthermore, if the length of the flat cable is long in the apparatus, there is a possibility that the problem of the air flow and noise of the internal fan may occur, so a round cable is preferably used.

B) Description of the library device placed horizontally FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram (part 1) of the library device placed horizontally. FIG. 6 (a) is a description at the time of normal operation, and FIG.
Is moved in the opposite direction. FIG. 7 is an explanatory view (part 2) of the horizontal library device, and FIG.
Description of cable when moving 2
It is an explanation of the operation limit of C3. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an operation range of the ACC 3 and a cable when the ODD 2 moves.

In FIG. 6A, ODD1 and ODD2
Are devices for reproducing / recording media. A
The CC 3 is a mechanism for moving a medium loaded into the library device 10 within the device. The cell 5 is a hangar for storing a large number of media in the library device 10, and is entirely slidable.
It can be discharged. The ARC 6 is an accessor control unit that processes ACC commands and the like.

When ODD1 and ODD2 are used in the library drive (normal time), the operating range of ACC3 is OD
The arrow extends to the position before the medium insertion port of D2 (arrow (2)). FIG.
In (b), when the ODD 2 is used as a single drive, the front and rear of the ODD 2 are fixed to the side surface with the front and rear reversed. As a result, the medium insertion opening of the ODD 2 becomes the side surface (arrow (2)) of the library device 10. The operating range of the ACC3 is the range indicated by the solid line when the ODD2 is normal, and the range indicated by the dotted line when the ODD2 is used as a single drive (before the ODD1 (up to the arrow (1))).

In FIG. 7A, when the ODD 2 is used as a library drive (normal time), the ODD 2 is indicated by a solid line, and the case where the ODD 2 is used as a single drive is indicated by a dotted line. Further, the interface cable 8 connected to the ARC 6 or the like has a sufficient length to extend to the vicinity of the moved position in order to use the ODD 2 as a single drive (shown by a dotted cable 8).

In FIG. 7B, when the ODD 2 is used as a library drive (normal time), the operation range of the ACC 3 is a solid arrow range, and when the ODD 2 is used as a single drive, the operation range of the ACC 3 is used. Is in the range indicated by the dotted line (up to before ODD1).

Remove the cover of the library device 10 and
D2 is fixed to the side surface with the front and rear reversed. In order for the ARC 6 to recognize the use as a single drive, a model equipped with one ODD / two ODDs is set by the operation unit of the library device 10. Alternatively, if an optical sensor or a microswitch is used depending on the position of the ODD 2 and the position of the ODD 2 is a fixed position, the library device 10 is recognized as a model equipped with two ODDs (ODD 2 is for a library device), and the OD
If D2 has been moved, the library device 10
It is recognized as a single-unit model (ODD2 is used as a single unit). Thus, the ARC 6 sets the operation range of the ACC 3 as shown in FIG. That is:-When ODD2 is used as a stand-alone drive, the operation range is up to ODD1. Further, the ARC 6 changes the inquiry data to the name of the model equipped with one ODD.

When ODD2 is used as a library drive The operating range is up to ODD2. The ARC 6 changes the inquiry data to the name of the model equipped with two ODDs.

In FIG. 8, even if the ODD 2 is moved to the side of the library apparatus 10, the cable 8 is connected to the ACC 3 unless the position before and after the ODD 1 is changed (the ACC operation limit point where the ACC 3 is positioned at the ODD 1). Never touch.

The length of the cable 8 must be sufficiently long because the direction of the ODD 2 must be changed. In addition, a round cable is used for the cable 8 and OD
Make D2 long enough to make it easy to move.

(3): Description of operation (description of software processing) a) Description of the case where ODD2 is used as a single drive and the case where ODD2 is used as a library drive and used in a fixed manner, The usage method is determined, and the device cover is removed while the power is off, and the ODD 2 is moved in advance.

When the power is turned on, the ARC 6 checks the status of the ODD position confirmation sensor, and the library device sets the ODD to 1
Confirm whether to use one or two units. In addition, the model information of the library device matching the state at that time is stored in Inq.
Set to uiry. (Or the previously modified In
The status of the device is confirmed by reading the query data.) The middleware using the library device knows the specifications of the device from the inquiry data,
Even if two ODDs are actually mounted in the library device, the device model information of the inquiry data is 1
If it is a model name of a stand, it will correspond to it. As a result, one of the ODDs equipped with the library device can be used as an ODD for the library device, and the other ODD can be used as a single ODD in a personal computer or the like.

B) Description of the case where ODD2 is used as a single drive and the case where it is used as a drive for library as needed. 1 SCSI (Small computer system intenet) of ODD2
rface) ID to 2 LUN (Logical unit number)
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of dividing the ODD 2 into a single drive and a library drive, and FIG.
This is an explanation for a case where 2 LUNs are set for SCSI.

In FIG. 9A, the ARC 6 contains the SC
ODD1 and ODD2 are connected by SI BUS81. ARC6 has SCSI ID = 5, ODD1 has SCSI ID = 0, and ODD2 has SCSI ID = 1.
Are used respectively.

2 LUN is set for 1 SCSI of ODD2, and when ODD2 is used as a library drive, LUN = 1 (ODD2 = Ready) is selected, and for a single drive (LUN = 0), a failure or No
It is closed as t Ready.

The switching of LUN = 0 and 1 can be performed by an external switch or an operation panel of the library device. The LUN other than the selected LUN responds with a failure or Not Ready.

As described above, when the library is used, the blockage of the LUN is managed by the middleware, and when the library is used alone, the LUN cannot be seen.
However, both Ready and Not Ready can be mixed.

All devices connected to the library are set to L
Description when managing by UN FIG. 9B illustrates the case when all devices are managed by LUN. In FIG. 9B, the ARC6, ODD1, and ODD2 are connected to the SCSI BUS81.
The three devices ARC6, ODD1, and ODD2 have 1
One SCSIID = 1 is used.

In this case, all devices connected to the library device are managed as LUNs. The LU drive is used for the ODD2 that is used both as a library drive and a single drive.
Allocate two N's (showing that there are three drives from the outside). The subsequent operation is the same as in the case of FIG.

In the example of FIG. 9 (b), 1 for 4 LUNs
Since only the SCSI ID is used, it can be used when a plurality of library devices are connected in a daisy chain.

In FIG. 9, the ODD in the library device
When the ODD2 is used alone, a medium insertion opening is provided so that the medium can be inserted manually by hand. To insert. Thus, the library device can be unitized without removing the outer cover. In addition,
The operating range of ACC3 and the cable length of ODD2 are shown in Figs.
This is the same as FIG.

(4): Device description when ODD2 is timely separated a) Description of vertical library device FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a vertical library device when timely separation is performed, and FIG. FIG. 10B illustrates the library device, and FIG. 10B illustrates the operation limit of the ACC.

In FIG. 10A, ODD1, ODD2, ACC3, CA
An S4, a cell 5, and a medium insertion opening 11 are provided. O
DD1 and ODD2 are devices for reproducing / recording a medium, respectively. The ACC 3 is a mechanism for moving a medium loaded into the library device 10 within the device. CAS
Reference numeral 4 denotes a mechanism for inserting / ejecting a medium into / from the library device 10. The cell 5 is a storage for storing a large number of media in the library device 10. The medium insertion opening 11 allows the medium to be manually inserted into the ODD 2 inside, and is closed except when the medium is inserted.

As described above, in order to separate the ODD 2 without moving it, the library device 10 is provided with a medium insertion opening 11 such as a door so that the medium can be inserted manually.
When the ODD 2 alone is used, the medium insertion opening 11 is opened, and the medium is directly inserted into the ODD 2 by hand. Thus, by performing the setting described with reference to FIG.
The DD2 can be moved and the DD2 can be singulated without removing the outer cover of the library device.

In FIG. 10B, when the ODD 2 is used as a single drive, the operation limit of the ACC 3 is up to the dotted line. When the ACC 3 has moved to the operation limit point of the ACC 3 (position positioned at the ODD 1), a sufficient distance is provided between the ODD 1 and the ODD 2 so that the ACC 3 does not contact the ACC 3 even if a hand is inserted through the medium insertion opening 11.
(Currently sold library devices are ODD1-OD
There is almost no gap between D2).

B) Description of a library device in a horizontal position FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a library device in a horizontal position in a case where a timely separation is performed. FIG. 11 (a) shows a description of a library device in a horizontal position, and FIG. It is an explanation of an operation limit. In FIG. 11A, the library device 1 is set up vertically.
In O, an ODD 1, an ODD 2, an ACC 3, a cell 5, and a medium insertion opening 11 are provided.

ODD1 and ODD2 are devices for reproducing / recording a medium, respectively. The ACC 3 is a mechanism for moving a medium loaded into the library device 10 within the device. The cell 5 is a storage for storing a large number of media in the library device 10. Media insertion opening 11
Indicates that the medium can be manually inserted into the internal ODD 2 and is closed except when the medium is inserted.

As described above, in order to separate the ODD 2 without moving it, the library apparatus 10 is provided with a medium insertion opening 11 such as a door so that the medium can be inserted manually.
When the ODD 2 alone is used, the medium insertion opening 11 is opened, and the medium is directly inserted into the ODD 2 by hand. Thus, by performing the setting described with reference to FIG.
The DD2 can be moved and can be singulated without removing the outer cover of the library device.

In FIG. 11B, when the ODD 2 is used as a single drive, the operation limit of the ACC 3 is up to the dotted line. When the ACC 3 has moved to the operation limit point of the ACC 3 (position positioned at the ODD 1), a sufficient distance is provided between the ODD 1 and the ODD 2 so that the ACC 3 does not contact the ACC 3 even if a hand is inserted through the medium insertion opening 11.
(Currently sold library devices are ODD1-OD
There is almost no gap between D2).

(5) Description when the ODD 2 alone is not provided with a medium insertion opening (only in the case of a vertical library device having CAS4) A medium insertion opening exclusive for use of the ODD 2 alone in the device housing In the case where the user does not have a mouth, the medium loading / unloading process of the ODD 2 which is made into a single drive using the ACC 3 will be described below.
It should be noted that whether or not a medium has been inserted into the ODD 2 that has been made into a single drive can also be displayed by a display lamp or the like.

A) The operation is performed by an operation switch (switch for a single unit) on the front of the library apparatus. In this case, the switch is a dedicated switch, and the switch is pressed offline. Operating condition of ACC3 after pressing the single unit switch when inserting the medium • ACC3 is positioned only before ODD2.

After the positioning, insert the medium into ODD2. Operating condition of ACC3 after pressing the single unit switch at the time of ejecting the medium ・ ACC3 is positioned only before ODD2.

After positioning, the medium discharged from ODD 2 is transported to CAS 4. (Description of Medium Insertion Process) The library device is changed to the single ODD mounting mode. (Thus, the operating range of ACC3 is up to ODD1.

When a single ODD 2 is used, a single switch which is a manual switch for inserting a medium is provided. As long as the switch is used, the ACC3 is positioned before the ODD2 and forcedly inserts the medium. Since the ODD 2 is energized, it can be used as a single drive by inserting a medium.

When the power is turned on, it is assumed that no medium is inserted in ODD2. Since it is recognized that only one ODD is mounted as a library device, even after a medium is forcibly inserted into the ODD 2, it is not recognized as a drive of the library device. Also, after loading the medium, ACC3 is not positioned in front of ODD2 except for the single unit switch for inserting the medium.

As described above, when the model is set as one ODD mounted model, the operation range of the ACC3 is ODD1
Therefore, there is no possibility that the medium stored in the cell 5 in the library device is erroneously inserted into the ODD 2 and used as a single drive.

(Explanation of Write / Read Process) ODD2
Since is not recognized as a library device, it can be used as a single device.

(Explanation of Medium Ejection Processing) In the case of an apparatus having a medium holding roller or the like, the medium is ejected to the ODD 2 in the same manner as when ejecting a medium from a normal single drive. Thereby, the medium stops while being held by the holding roller.

Then, as in the case of inserting the single unit, when the ejection switch (switch for the single unit) is pressed from the operation unit, the ACC3 becomes OD.
The medium is forcibly positioned at D2, grasps the medium held by the holding roller, transports it to CAS4, and discharges it outside the library apparatus.

In the case of a device without a medium holding roller, etc. After using the device alone, set the library to use and turn off the power to the library device. Next, when there is a medium that is not in the map information in the memory on the ARC 6 when the power is turned on again, all the mediums are ejected so that the medium used alone is automatically ejected from the ODD 2. ACC3
And is discharged to the outside of the library apparatus.

B) Description of a case where the same as a) is realized by an offline command which the library device has in advance. The basic operation of the library device is such that the library device is used in advance for maintenance work or the like offline. Enable to issue possible commands from the operation panel.

As long as the command is issued offline, the operation range of the ACC 3 is positioned before all the ODDs that can be mounted on all cells, regardless of the specifications of the library device, so that the medium input / output processing can be performed. To

The other operations are the same as those in the above a). (6): Description of the media ejection process after changing the use of the drive a) Media ejection process after using as a single drive The media used as a single drive was mistakenly left in and returned to the library specification. In such a case, there is a possibility that the media is mixed with the media in the conventional library apparatus, and a process for avoiding this is performed.

Therefore, the ODD is stored in the memory on the ARC6.
The history of the use condition of 2 is provided. The contents of the history represent the last use state and the current use state in two bits. (Example) When ODD2 is used as a single drive → 1 When ODD2 is used as a library drive → 0 When the drive history is represented by the last two bits in this order, the history information in the memory is “ If "10", the previous ODD2 was used as a single drive
This means that DD2 is used as a library device. Since the medium used last time may remain in the ODD 2 apparatus and be mixed with the medium in the library apparatus, the ARC 6 executes the ejection processing.

The discharging process is performed only when the power is turned off and the OD
D2 is returned to the library device use position (normal position), and then after the first power-on. That is, when there is a medium in ODD2 (the cartridge IN sensor of ODD2 is ON
), The media enters the discharge process, and the medium is changed from ODD2 to ACC.
3 and is discharged from the CAS 4 to the outside of the library apparatus.

When the history information is “00” or “11”,
Since there is no change between the previous time and the current time, the normal library device control is performed. b) Media ejection process after use as library device When ODD2 is used as a library drive,
When the medium remains in the DD2 and the user tries to use the medium as a single drive next time, there is a possibility that the medium inside the library may go outside. To avoid this, if ODD2 is used as a library drive, ARC
After confirming the map information in the memory on the memory 6 and before turning off the power (before the disconnection processing), the medium is always returned to the original cell 5 and then the power is turned off.

(7): Description of Processing for Combined Use of Single Drive FIG. 12 is a flowchart of use of a single drive for ODD2. Hereinafter, description will be made in accordance with the processes S10 to S16 of FIG.

S10: When the ODD 2 is used as a single drive, the power supply of the library device is turned off and the process S1 is executed.
Move to 1. S11: It is determined whether the power is turned off and the ODD 2 is moved to the front of the apparatus. If it is determined that the ODD 2 is to be moved to the front of the apparatus, the process proceeds to step S12.
If it does not move, the process proceeds to step S14.

S12: The power of the library device is turned on, and the process proceeds to step S13. S13: The ARC 6 determines that there is no ODD 2 based on the information of the position sensor of the ODD 2, and proceeds to the processing S16.

S14: ODD is determined by the above-mentioned processing S11.
2 is not to be moved to the front of the device, and the model of the library device is
Change to one mounted, and proceed to processing S15.

S15: The power of the library device is turned on, and the process proceeds to step S16. S16: The ARC 6 limits the operation range of the ACC 3 to before the ODD 1, makes the inquiry data the same as the device equipped with one ODD, and completes the singulation of the ODD 2.

In the above embodiment, a library device equipped with two ODDs has been described. However, a library device equipped with three or more ODDs may also be used.
The stand can be a single drive. Further, the present invention can also be applied to a library device using a removable medium other than an optical disk.

As described in the above embodiment, one of the ODDs mounted in the library device can be used like a single drive, and the ODD can be effectively used depending on the usage and frequency of use of the library device. Can be. In addition, with the development of small library devices that can be placed on the desk or under the feet, it is possible to use both the library device and a single drive. Since another working medium can be used and the library device can be used for multiple purposes, it can contribute to the spread of the library device.

[0087]

As described above, the present invention has the following effects. (1): In a library device, one of a plurality of drive units can be used as a single drive unit so that one unit can be used as a single drive. The drive means can be used effectively depending on the application and frequency of use. In addition, since both the library device and the single drive can be used, another working medium can be used as a single device in the same manner as a library device used on a network, and the library device can be used for multiple purposes. .

(2) Since one drive means is moved into a single drive means, a medium insertion port for the single drive means can be provided on the front of the library apparatus, and the loading and ejection of the recording medium is easy. become.

(3) Since one of the plurality of drive units is used as a single drive unit by setting the control unit, the library drive unit can be easily used as the single drive unit.

(4) The medium input / output unit for the library is also used for inputting / ejecting the recording medium of the single drive unit, because the medium input / output unit is used to input / output the recording medium of the single drive unit. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the principle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of the vertical library device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a basic operation process of the library device in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram (No. 1) of the vertical library device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram (part 2) of the vertical library device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram (part 1) of the horizontal library device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram (part 2) of the horizontal library device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 8 shows ACC3 when ODD2 moves in the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an operation range and cables.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of dividing the ODD 2 into a single drive and a library drive in the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a vertical library device in the case of performing timely separation in the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a horizontal library device in the case of performing timely separation in the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of ODD2 singulation according to the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1a drive means 2a drive means 3a medium moving means 4a medium input / output means 5a medium storage means 6a control means

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A medium input / output unit for inputting / outputting a recording medium, a medium storage unit for storing a plurality of the recording media, a plurality of drive units for reproducing / recording the recording medium, and the medium In a library device including a medium moving unit that moves the recording medium between a storage unit and the drive unit, and a control unit that controls a library device, one of the plurality of drive units is used alone. A library device characterized in that it can also be used as a single drive unit. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the single drive means is moved to form the single drive means.
Library device as described. 3. The library apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of said plurality of drive means is a single drive means by setting of said control means. 4. The library apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said medium input / output unit inputs / outputs the recording medium of said single drive unit.